Quick Update on Updates

Just a couple of pictures to update you on projects as they're coming along. Not great quality (from my phone).
 Master bathroom plank wall, tile counter, and inset medicine cabinets. I love all of it and even though it looks messy right now, it functions so much better. Real.life.

 Stairs are coming along too. We used old pallet wood on the risers and stained pine on the step.

So that's the quickie update. A lot more to come. I'll work on posting more. However, I come to my blog and just cringe. I think I do a decent job of designing my house but the blog...not so much! Ug.Lee. Someday, I'll get a professional to do it. Add it to the wish list...

Thanks for stopping by.


    

Craving Green in Winter

I'm not very patient in the winter. Waiting on spring has never been my strong point. I grew up in a sub-tropical climate and you can take the girl out of the tropics but...
So I decided to round up a lot of my indoor houseplants and place them in my bedroom for a "springy" feeling.

They're easier to take care of in one location also. Bonus! I run the humidifier over here because the house is so dry right now. On the other side of the room, where there isn't enough sunlight, I added some mossy rocks and an artichoke on my nightstand.

In the fall I quickly put some succulents in a couple of apothecary jars. I keep them on my sofa table. They're doing well but in need of a terrarium makeover soon. I LOVE terrariums!

It's been a about a year since I've posted here. I was working, thought I lost my blog, didn't lose my blog, did lose my dot com, and now I'm back. I also started listing some Vintage goodies in my Etsy shop again. So please visit often. Stay warm, or cool, whatever fits.
Tanya

Twig Chandelier

What do you think of twig chandeliers? I like them. Rob hates them. I win (for now).

I had this old chandy that was too colonial looking for my taste.

I didn’t have any available in the woods, so I bought a roll of grapevine at Hobby Lobby. You can find it in the wreath section. I just tied it on with twine and spray painted the whole thing white, bringing my new chandelier in at under $10! I could see this working with sticks, driftwood, seashells glued on or whatever.

 

I also had a stash of crystal drops that I found at a garage sale. So what do you think? Probably not permanent. But for now, she’s staying. However, that popcorn ceiling needs to go!

PS We’re making good progress on the master bath. I can’t wait to show it to you.

Tanya

Cheap, Easy, (& Healthy) Salmon Recipe

I’ve been trying to experiment with some new recipes using canned goods. They aren’t my favorite. However, they’re cheap, easy, and store well. We’ve been trying to eat healthy (Doug Kaufmann Anti-fungal diet), which doesn’t always work well with canned goods.

Salmon, even canned Salmon is very good for your health. Look for wild caught vs. farmed. Salmon contains high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamin D, just to name a few of it’s numerous benefits. So eat it up! Here is a recipe to try. Let me know how you like it.

Salmon and Egg Bake

1 can (14.75oz) Salmon

1 can chopped green chilies (or fresh peppers chopped)

7 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup cheese (I used chevre’)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper (black or red)

Lightly grease a 9” baking pan. Mix all ingredients and pour into pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Until center is firm and top is lightly browned. Let cool for a few minutes and cut into squares for serving.

This recipe could easily be doubled while still using only 1 can of Salmon, if you prefer. 

 

Tanya

Pretty Stuff and Smoker Sundried Tomatoes

Ok, so it’s officially the weekend and I thought I would just ramble a bit. Actually, I don’t really need the weekend as an excuse. It just sounded good in my head.

There is an amazing place in Joplin, MO called Sandstone Gardens. They have A LOT of yummy stuff. Some of it needs to come home with me.

 

Now for more pretty. I still can’t forget about these white flowers from the Wrangler Idea House. I need to hack be inspired to create something similar to these. Paper Mache’ maybe? I dunno.

On a final note, have you ever made sundried tomatoes in your smoker? They’re sooo delicious. I’m talking “eat them straight out of the jar” delicious. We tried them with and and also without the smoke. Both were great. Then they got packed in jars of Olive oil. To some of the oil, garlic and herbs were added. I kept the jars in the refrigerator so that they wouldn’t need any further heat processing. They never stick around long enough for long-term storage anyway!

 Here is a good tutorial for you.

Mmm. Just try it and let me know how they turned out!

End of ramble. Happy weekend.

Tanya

Close Calls and Happy Results

 

This video reminded me of a close encounter with a large tree branch that I had a few weeks ago. Just as I heard the cracking sound, and put my hands over my head, the huge limb crashed to the ground several feet from me. If I had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t be this side of heaven anymore!

I was very thankful that day. It’s amazing how many of these close calls happen on a daily basis and this video shows many of them captured on film.

Check it out…

 

Tanya

Container Gardening by the Front Door

We’re in the process of re-working our large potager, so I  tucked some seeds into large pots in early spring. They’re so easy to care for and I’m getting quite a bit of edibles from a small area, and no weeding!

 

Zinnias mixed with Shallots. They’re just about to bloom.

 

Haricot Vert green beans, Spaghetti squash, kale, cucumbers, Swiss chard, and many different herbs are waiting just outside the front door.

The herbs are happy in the warm weather. Parsley, Marjoram, Sage and Catnip.

The purple Clematis really put on a show this year.

This area is just under one of my bedroom windows. It’s becoming a favorite little garden area for me. Rob edged it in stone and it looks great. Although I need to get my weed eater out and do some trimming!

You can barely see my patch of Lavender blooming. I can never have enough Lavender and I plan on planting a lot more over time. Have you ever made Lavender lemonade? Amazing stuff!

All of my blooming plants are in purple, blue or white in the front of my house. Even most of the herbs have cooperated with the color scheme when they bloom! Except for the pineapple sage. I just cut the red blooms and bring them inside.

So there you have it. My tiny front garden. Even if you only have a balcony, abundant herbs, flowers, and veggies can be yours. Hope you get your hands in some dirt soon. It’s good for the soul!

 

Tanya